Riding since 1992
Welcome to GEARs. The Greater Eugene Area Riders is a non-profit organization with the mission to promote and encourage bicycle riding for transportation and recreation. We coordinate weekly rides, provide safety and skill education, defend the rights and responsibilities of bike riders, and work to enhance the bicycle culture in Eugene and surrounding area. Membership in GEARs has its rewards! In addition to all of the rides and advocacy work we do, there are additional benefits. Local bike shops and other businesses are now offering discounts for GEARs members. Go to our Bike Rewards page to see a list of participating business members. Join GEARs Now.
If you would like to receive our Monthly Digital Newsletter you can sign-up HERE.
We have created a Google Group list serve for the Ride Leaders to communicate changes to scheduled club rides. Members can also use this group to arrange impromptu rides using the form on the Gather and Go page of our website. If you would like to become a member of the GEARs Forum list serve you can join at https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/greater-eugene-area-riders.
Announcements
GEARs Jersey Order Re-Opportunity!
Click HERE for more information.
GEARs Turkey Shoot Contest
Click HERE for more information.
2021 Board Candidates
The 2021 board candidate profiles can be viewed at https://eugenegears.org/board-candidates-2/.
GEARs has restarted scheduled group rides. To comply with safety precautions advised by Governor Kate Brown, riders must sign up online prior to joining the ride, wear a mask when 6’ distancing is not possible and agree to GEAR protocols. For more information and to sign up for a ride go to our Ride Schedule page.
Bicycle Riding in the COVID-19 Era:
GEARs Recommendations
While bicycling itself is not prohibited, and in fact can play a healthy role at keeping your immune system and sanity intact, cyclists must do their part from spreading the virus. According to the Executive Order:
“Individuals may go outside for outside recreational activities (walking, hiking, etc.), but must limit those activities to non-contact, and are prohibited from engaging in outdoor activities where it is not possible to maintain appropriate social distancing (six feet or more between individuals).”
Even before the Governor’s Order, GEARs cancelled group rides during March and April. At this point, we are not sure when the coast will be clear to reinstate group riding.
Riding with others increases your risk and the ability to maintain safe distancing. As such, GEARs recommends that if you are going to ride with others that you limit the group to two or three other riders. The smaller the number, the easier it is to follow guidelines, maintain safety and take care of yourself.
Other considerations include:
- Carry hand sanitizers, hand wipes or clean cloth to open bathroom/porta-potty doors.
- Riding on multi-use paths and trails make it much more difficult to maintain appropriate distances. Use common sense: if there are many others on the paths, consider riding on street and roads.
- Diligently follow the rules of the road. You don’t want an accident to land you in the hospital. The medical workers have enough to do already.
- Don’t spit or blow “snot rockets” around others.
- Physical distancing at this time is so important whether you are on your bike or not.
- While outside riding, carry a mask so that you can wear it when you enter any where there could be contact with others.
- If you don’t feel well, DON’T go out riding. This isn’t the time to “push” through a cold.